Handbrake adjustment at rear wheels

[robzilla]

Originally Posted by X5girl

Once the rear shoes are correctly adjusted, then you should adjust the handbrke cables to allow full application between 3 and 5 clicks. Dont forget the handbrake is pretty puny at the best of times so dont expect too much from it, even when perfect. It would never be as good as the old drum brakes where you could drive the car in an emergency just using the handbrake to get home.

They are a PARKING BRAKE, not an EMERGENCY BRAKE.!!

was you on the x5 drivers forum before it closed?

[1stE53]

Originally Posted by robzilla

was you on the x5 drivers forum before it closed?

Nope, just started at the end of January this year with my first X5!!

[kaptain]

Sorry to dig up an old thread. Its the one that I kept coming to for information, so I figured I would add my experience.

For me the left (driver) side adjuster was at 3 o'clock. Also I didn't really know what to expect with the adjuster. I expected a screw. I ended up having to take off the caliper and rotor to take a peek. I attached the picture I took for anyone who is as confused as I was. The picture is the left (driver) side rear. The gray cylindrical thing next to the spring is the adjuster.

I don't think you can see the adjuster very well through the lug hole. I couldn't see it. I think you just have to know that its next to the spring and know how to adjust it. Then the rest is kind of feeling around with the screw driver.

I also found this video where a mechanic shows how to adjust a Porsche parking brake. It looks similar and shows the operation of the adjuster.
YouTube - DIY - changing rear brakes (and adjusting parking brake) on a water-cooled Porsche